KCK murder toll sees historic decline

It’s been more than 40 years since Kansas City, Kan., recorded fewer murders than it did in 2012, the police department said Friday.

Twenty-two homicides occurred in the city last year, down from 27 in 2011 and 31 in 2010.

Not since 1986 has Kansas City, Kan., had as few as 22 homicides, historical statistics show, and you have to go back to 1970 to find fewer, when there were 18.

Since 1960, the highest number of homicides — 72 — occurred in 1995.

In a news release, the department said it has employed a number of strategies — including information sharing, community interaction and problem solving — that have made a difference in curbing violent crime.